The undeniable heroism of Vikram Batra

The Gallantry Awards are bestowed by the government of India to honour acts of bravery and sacrifice in the military. These awards emphasise the importance of being a responsible and honorable citizen, prioritising service to the nation above all.

Notably, people in the army have to be away from their families for a long time but still they choose to put the nation before themselves. One such great warrior and Gallantry Award winner, who I find inspirational, is Captain Vikram Batra. He decided to join the Indian army at a very young age and consistently embodied the principles of bravery, sacrifice and courage. He is a role model not only for me, but for countless individuals in the country.

He was a man who constantly aspired to achieve the best. He knew how to manage his time effectively and was adept at handling challenging situations. He recognised the value of time and always shared the idea of the famous proverb: “Time and tide wait for none”. His attitude towards time management has enlightened many as he is remembered as a sculpture of bravery.

One of his inspirational slogans that deeply touched my heart is: “Yeh dil mange more” which translates to the idea that we should never stop striving for more even after achieving success. From this slogan, I have learned that even if the path of success is filled with obstacles, we should always have faith in ourselves and allow our hearts to desire what it wants with our actions following suit.

Hence, it is my dream to become an Indian Police Service Officer and serve for my country. To achieve this, I keep the above slogan in my heart and mind. Further, I hope to ensure that I never let challenges affect me on my journey.

As an Apeejayite, I solemnly believe that my school’s motto, “Soaring high is my nature” which also reflects on the life of Vikram Batra Sir. He constantly aimed for the heights and this quality is what makes him an inspiration for many. Although he is no longer alive, he is remembered by thousands each day.

Sir tragically passed away at a young age during the Kargil War. Even in dire circumstances, he displayed an extraordinary sense of responsibility by instructing one of his soldiers not to go first as he had a big family. Just before leaving for the war he said, “Either I will come back after hoisting the tricolor or I will come back wrapped in it.”

By his actions, Sir also taught one and all that it’s not tragic to leave this world before time but it is unfortunate to not be able to achieve something before you die. And so, he earned the title of ‘SherShah’ from the army of Pakistan because he left the nation stunned at his bravery. He truly roared like a lion and fought like a king.

Lastly, I would like to conclude by saying, people become an inspiration through their great work which eventually remains etched in everyone’s memory